Gastrolobium spathulatum Benth.
Poison Bush

Scientific Description

Genus Gastrolobium. Form erect. Habit shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems Indumentum hairy, Pustules or glands absent, Striation (stems ribbed) not striate, Cross section terete, Spiny on any part of plant not spiny. Leaves or phylloclades Presence clearly present, Position whorled, Leaves simple, Leaves or phylloclade continuous with stem continuous with stem, Cross section of leaf or leaflet flat with flat margins or flat with incurved margins (conduplicate), Margins of leaf or leaflet entire, Tuberculate tubercles absent, Pustules or glands absent. Length Leaf length 10-25. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width 3-10. Scale leaves length mm long NaN (?). Indumentum Presence glabrous. Stipules Presence present and persistent to older leaves, Glands without glands, Ribs ribless. Length Stipule length 2-5.2. Bracteoles Presence present but early deciduous, Indumentum hairy (?) or glabrous (?), Striation striate (?) or not striate (?). Length Bracteole length NaN (?). Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 2-4.2. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 4.7-6.5. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) red or orange, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) red or orange, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals present. Length Corolla length 7.5-10.5. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles auriculate. Length Standard length 8-9.5. Wings Auricles auriculate. Length Wing length 7.2-9. Keel Auricles auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 7-9.5. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length 0.7-1.2, Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion free (or united at the very base). Length Filament length 5-9.2. Ovary Placement stipitate. Indumentum Presence hairy or glandular. Style Indumentum hairy or glandular towards the base, Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) not bearded, Apex terete. Length Style length 7-8.5. Fruit Type dehiscent (a pod or follicle), Constriction not constricted between the seeds, Compression round in cross-section, Placement stipitate, Beak not beaked. Length Fruit length NaN (?). Width Fruit width NaN (?). Indumentum Presence hairy (?) or glabrous (?), Indumentum type with simple hairs (?) or with glandular hairs (?). Flowering time March, August, September or October. Distribution Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregion Geraldton Sandplains, Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest or Swan Coastal Plain.